Batchmeter construction for concrete truck mixers



April 2, 1935. E. H. LICHTENBERG BATCHMETER CONSTRUCTION FOR CONCRETE TRUCK MIXERS Filed Jan. 16, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1935. E, H. LICHTENBERG 1,996,208

BATCHMETER CONSTRUCTION FOR CONCRETE TRUCK MIXERS 7 Filed Jan. 16, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 point of the concrete laying operations.

Patented Apr. 2, 1935 BATCHMETER CONSTRUCTION FOR CON- -CRETE, TRUCK MIXERS Erich H. Lichtenberg, Milwaukee, Wis, assignorto KoehringCompany, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation Applicationianuary 16, 1933, Serial No. 652,090

Q 16 Claims.

In the laying of concrete, as for example in road building operations, it is common practice to subject the aggregates to mixing'operations in transit between a centralmixing plant and the Forthis purpose the aggregates are customarily charged into mixing trucks, which stir'and agitate the aggregates within arotating drum until the proper degree of mixing of the agregatesis ob tained. Frequently the drums are ofa type which mix the aggregates upon rotation of the drum in one direction and then move the-aggregates aiter mixing the same to discharge the said aggregates from the drum when the point of dis charge has been reached. This discharging action is obtained by reversing the direction of rotation of the drum. n

For the accomplishment of the proper mixing action, mechanism has been devised which will time the mixing'ac'tion of the drum in such a manner as to prevent the drum'being discharged until the required number of 'mixing revolutions of the drum have been accomplished. This mech anism includes, in general, instrumentalities which are set at the beginning of the mixing period, rendering inoperative the-discharge devices of the drum simultaneously with the setting of the timing instrumentalities, these latter recording the number of turns made b'y the mixing drum during the mixing period, and then, through actuation of suitable signalling devices, indicating to an operator the completion of the predetermined mixing period, and rendering the drum in condition whereby the mixing contents thereof 1 may be discharged. a

The present invention relates in general to mechanism of this aforesaid general: character, the invention dealing more specifically with improvements in the mechanism controlledjby the timing or batchmeter device for'lockingthedischarge of the drum which prevents opening thereof until the predetermined mixing operation has been completed. Upon expiration of this predetermined mixing operation,.the drum is enabled to be discharged, the batehmeter acting to indicate to an attendant'that the mix-- ing period has been completed." Furthermore, the present invention relates to mechanism actuating the batchmeter at the start of the mixing operation, means being provided-for rendering the said batchmeter actuating mechanism inoperative as soon as the batchmeter is actuated, sothat the actuation thereof willnot be interfered with dur ing the mixing period, and devices for restoring said batchmeter actuating instrumentalities to operative condition when the direction of rotation of the drum is reversed for effecting the dis charge of the drum;

The construction of the present invention utilizes a control mechanism orso-called Batch- (01. sears meter, of the general typedescribed in United States Patent No. 1,532,277 granted to HA. Trester and dated April '7, 1925. The;present invention, however; not only embraces the general sys-:

tem of apparatus described in the aforesaid 3 Trester patent, but adapts the batchmeter of this patent to be usedin connection with a truck type concrete mixer. "I'hereis provided a system .of linkages which gives a positive control of thedischarge of materials from the drum, the said linkages being actuated by instrumentalities set into operation by the setting ofthebatchmeterl and released incident to reversal'of rotation of the mixing drum upon completion. of -the mixing operation as indicated by the signalof the batchof the mixing operation. Q v

The present invention embraces instrumentalities-whereby the batchmeter willinotflonly be ace tuated automatically upon the start of themixing operation, but wherein the actuating mechanism will be rendered inoperative as vsoon-as;.the batchmeter starts to operate, so that during the mixing period there will be no interference with the operation of the batchmeter. When the signal is given that the mixing period, is comp'letedpthe drum is stopped and rotated in the opposite di-,

rection to effect the discharge "of the drum; and the invention embraces instrumentalities which automatically restore the batchmeter actuating the next mixingoperation;

The instrumentalities of this invention are of such construction as will be rendered operative upon reversal of rotation of the drum, so as to,

enable the discharge of' the drum to be effected. In general the instrumentalities embrace a lever operatively connected'with thebatchmeter setting mechanism, which lever is integral with a gear and which is engaged bya retractable abutment member mounted on the drum. The gear carries a rack which moves into the path of travellof the 15 meter advisingthe attendant 'of thecompletion abutment member simultaneously with the setbeen universally open to the objection that it has not been possible to avoid engagement between the abutment and the mechanism cooperating therewith at each successive rotation of the 30 mechanism into operative position, thereby rendering the mechanism immediately operative for drum; and so far as is known, there have been no means proposed whereby the batchmeter may be initially set through the use of abutment instrumentalities mounted on the drum, which instrumentalities are then rendered inoperative during the remainder of the mixing period.

In accordance with the present invention, the objection just indicated is completely removed and a highly simplified yet fully operative control system has been devised.

The above indicated objects of the invention, together with other objects and advantages inherent in the present construction which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are very satisfactorily fulfilled by the present construction, the details of which will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

' Figure 1 is a side view of a concrete mixer truck of a standard construction provided with the improved mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the front end of the mixing drum showing the details of construction of the improved mechanism, with the batchmeter ready to be set for registering the mixing period of the drum.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the arrangement of theparts upon setting of the batchmeter;

w Figure 4 is a fragmentary top view showing the means for locking the discharge of the drum against opening during the mixing period.

Figure 5 is a perspective view Showing the details of a spring employed in holding the abutment member shown in Figure 3, in retracted position.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a lever employed in releasing the spring member illustrated in Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A represents a standard type mixing truck for concrete'having the usual rotating mixing drum 13 mounted thereon. Adjacent the mixing drum B is a water tank C, mounted on the bracket D which carries also the batchmeter E for indicating the mixing periods of the drum. This batchmeter is of the type described and claimed in the Trester Patent No. 1,532,277, aforesaid.

The mixing drum B is desirably of the type which rotates in one direction for. the mixing operation, the direction of rotation being reversed for the discharge of the aggregates from the drum, the discharge being accomplished by means of a discharge opening on the end of the drum, which opening is controlled by a closure F.

The direction of rotation of the drum is controlled through clutch instrumentalities actuated by a lever G, which lever is shiftable from neutral to mixing and discharge directions of rotation of the drum, respectively.

The above features are standard practice, and form no part of the present invention. They need not be describedin detail therefore. Also, the construction and operation of the batchmeter E is well known, being set forth and described in detail in the Trester patent previously referred to. 1 It will be understood that one of the primary purposes of the batchmeter E is to prevent the opening of the closure F during the mixing period when the aggregates charged into the mixing drum are being mixed together to form a concrete of proper consistency. It is desirable that the batchmeter E be set responsive to rotation of the drum so as to indicate to an attendant when the predetermined number of revolutions of the drum set upon for the mixing period have actually been accomplished.

It is not deemed necessary to describe in any detail the internal mechanism of the batchmeter, as this is clearly set forth in the Trester patent mentioned above. However, suitable drive means for the batchmeter must be provided, which as illustrated, comprise a shaft H terminating in a beveled gear I which meshes with a second bevelled gear J mounted on the end of a shaft K. This shaft K terminates in a gear L which meshes with the usual ring gear of a mixing drum.

As in the aforesaid Trester patent, the batchmeter is set through the instrumentality of a rod l, which extends completely through the batchmeter housing and terminates in a slotted end 2 in which is fitted a pin 3, which is in turn received in a slot 4 in the arm 5 of a bell crank which is pivotally mounted at 6 to a bracket 8a which is in turn mounted on a bracket 6b, the latter being secured to the bracket D and carrying the batchmeter E. The other arm T of the bell crank is connected to a rod 9a, which rod is connected to a second bell crank 5a. This bell crank in turn is connected to a rod 8, which runs longitudinally of the drum B, and serves to actuate a third bell crank 9, which is pivotally mounted at I 9 to a bracket I I. This bracket is provided with a bearing l2 through which extends the rod l3, interconnected with a bell crank 9, which rod is adapted to be moved into engagement with the closure F upon setting the batchmeter through the actuation of the rod l.

The mechanism for setting the batchmeter will now be described. It will be seen from the drawings that the upper end of the rod l is inserted in the slot l4 located in the end of an arm of a bell crank I5, which is fixedly secured at I6 to a gear 11. This bell crank and gear are substantially enclosed in a housing 18 which is mounted by brackets IS on the forward ring bearing 20 of the mixing drum. The other arm of the bell crank extends through the housing, as indicated at 2|, and is adapted to be engaged by an abutment member 22 mounted on the front end of the drum. This abutment member 22 is held in place by brackets 23, the member 22 being slidable behind these brackets for reasons which will be hereinafter more clearly explained, and is provided with a retaining pin 24 which prevents the abutment member 22 from becoming displaced from behind these brackets. A spring 25 normally urges the abutment member 22 in extended position.

It will be seen that as the drum rotates in the direction of the full arrow in Figure 2, the abutment member 22 will engage the arm 2| of the bell crank 15 and turn the bell crank together with the gear I! until the bell crank assumes the dotted line position in Figure 2, or the full line position in Figure 3. This in turn lifts the rod 1, and sets the batchmeter for recording the start of the mixing period of the drum, incidentally shifting the rod 13 so as to prevent opening the door F during the said mixing period. It will be seen, however, that at the completion of the mixing period, when the batchmeter is tripped, and counter-rotation of the drum is started for the discharge of the said drum, there would be no means, in accordance with the mechanism described, through which engagement of the abutment 22 with the arm 2! of the bell crank l5 would be avoided, with consequent damage to, or destruction of, the described mechanism. Instrumentalities, which will be hereinafter described in detail, must be provided, accordingly, for eliminating such difficulty.

Furthermore, the batchmeter is arrangedto automatically release at the expiration of a predetermined. time. When this occurs, the drum is supposed to bedischarged, but, because of the circumstances often present during conditions of operation, the drum may not be reversed until one or more additional revolutions of the drum have been made, there being no means customarily provided for automatically stopping the rotation of the drum incident to the release of the batchmeter. However, simultaneously with this release in the construction shown, the arm 2| would be immediately shifted from the dotted line position of Figure 3 to the full line position of Figure 2, so that it would again come into the path of the abutment 22 and the batchmeter will be reset for "continued mixing by the engagement of the abutment 22 by virtue of the aforesaid continued rotation of the mixing drum. Under such conditions, a mixing period would commence again, and the operativeness of the, mechanism would be destroyed, since, as long as the batchmeter is operating, discharge of the drum is impossible. Furthermore, the tripping of the batchmeter might occur at such a time that engagement with the abutment 22 would be instantaneous with the return of the arm 2 I,

and the batchmeter might be reset without even.

giving the intended signal that the mixing time is complete.

To prevent this resetting of thebatchmeter,

there is mounted within the housing l8 a rack 26, having teeth 2! intermeshing with the teeth of the gear 17. The rack 26 is slotted as at 28, and into this slot are fitted guide pins 29. It will therefore be seen that when the bell crank I is moved to set the batchmeter, the corresponding movement of the gear I! will extend the rack 26 into the path of movement of the abutment 22 as the drum rotates. This will be clearlyseen from-the position of the parts in Figure 3. v

The end-of the rack 26 is cut at a sloping angle, as indicated at 30, the resulting surface having a cam action on'the abutment memberifl." As the end of the abutment member engages the inclined surface 30 of the rack 26, the abutment member 26'will be positioned backwardly against the tension of the spring 25 until the abutment member 22 clears the end!!!) of the rack 26. For

securing the abutment member 22in this posibell crank l' 5.

It is necessary, however, that the batchmeter be reset during the discharging operation.

In order to render the member 22 available for resetting the batchmeter at the proper time, instrumentalitiesmust be provided for releasing the member from its retracted position. This tension 38 which is adapted to engage a lateral extension 39- on the spring .32. Between the bracket 33 and a shorter arm'40 ofthe bell crank the drum.

34, there is positioned the'spring 4 I, held in position bya lug 42' on the" bracket 33. The relative strength betweenthe springs 31 and 4! is such that when'the drum is rotating during the mixing period, engagement of the extension 39 with the arm 36 will depress the arm llfi against the tens-ion of the spring 3l-sufficiently to allow the lever 34 to turn on its pivot point 35 to allow the extension 39 to pass by the lever upon each rotation of When the drum is rotated in the opposite direction, the extension .39 will strike the, lever 3 in the opposite direction, so that 'the spring M will be compressed by the engagement between the extension member .39 and the lever 34. -The extension member 39 operates the arm 36 so as to compress the spring 32 and thereby is enabled to pass the arm 36; and since the strength of the spring 4| is greater than the strength of the spring 32, the latter will be lifted out of engagee ment with the notch BI and the abutment--22 snapped into its extended position by the action the section 53 will turn on the pivot 44 upon engagement with the abutment 22 upon rotation of the drum in the direction of the dotted arrow in Figure While being rigidly braced by the arm 2! upon engagement withv the abutment member'22a's the latter strikes the section 43 during rotation of the drum in its mixing direction indieatedby the arrow lli in Figure 2. This resets the.--batchmeter, and it will be understood that when the abutmentZZ continues to move in response tothe mixing rotation of the drum; ex tension 39- engages the arm 1 36 of the bell crank 34 to de press the arm with an attendant expan sion of sprin'g M sufficiently to 'allowexten'sion I 39 to-pass by. 1 V e it will therefore be seen that the mechanism provided by this invention enables the automatic setting-of the batchmeter-after each mixing and dischargingof the aggregates, theoperationfof the batchmeter'not being interfered with in any way by rotation-of the drum subsequent to the settingof the 'batchmeter.

Having'thus described my invent ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

I. A mechanism cf the character. described, 7

comprising, in combination'a mixing drum com bined with abatchmeterof the continuous driven type forindicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the drum, instrumentalities for settingthe batchmeter at intervals responsiveto the directionof rotation of the drum, and mechanismoperable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the saidins'trumentalities inoperative after setting of the batchrneter, the

said instrumentalities comprising an abutment member movably mounted on the drum and a leverco nnected with the batohmetei' and adapted to cooperate with the said abutment member, the abutment member being adapted to be moved out from the path of engagement with the lever after the batchmeter has been set.

'2; A mechanism of the character described,

comprising, in combinatioma mixing drum combined with a batchmeter of the continuous driven type for indicating completion-of mixing opera- I tions in the drum, mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the drum, instrumentalities for setting the batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to the direction of rotation of the drum and comprising an abutment member carried by the drum, and a lever cooperating with the abutment member and connected to the batchmeter, and mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the said abutment member inoperative after setting of the batchmeter, the said mechanism including means extensible into the path of rotation of the abutment member and devices operable by the setting of the batchmeter for extending the said means into the path of rotation of the abutment member, whereby the latter is moved into inoperative position upon impact with the said extensible means.

' 3. Mechanism of the character described comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations on the drum, instrumentalities for setting the batchmeter for timing operadrum in another direction.

4; Mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, instrumentalities for actuating the batchmeter responsive to rotation of the drum in one direction, and mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative after setting of the batchmeter, the said instrumentalities comprising an abutment member slidably. mounted on the drum and adapted to be moved away from the path of engagement with the batchmeter setting mechanism after the batchmeter has once been set, means for securing the said abutment member in its inoperative position, and devices for restoring the said abutment member to operative position upon rotation of the drum in another direction. 1 I

5. A mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, instrumentalities for actuating the batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to rotation of the drum, the said instrumentalities including a lever operatively associated with the said batchmeter, an abutment member mounted on the drum for engagement of the said lever as the drum rotates, whereby actuation of the lever by the said abutment member results in setting of the batchmeter at the startof themixing period for aggregates contained in the drum, and mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative incident to the setting of the said batchmeter, the said instrumentalities comprising a gear movable responsively' to the setting of the batchmeter, and a rack in engagement with the said gear, the said rack being movable to engagement With the said abutment member responsive to movement of the gear incidentto settingof the batchmeter.

6. Mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, instrumentalities for actuatingthe batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to rotation of the drum, mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative incident to setting the batchmeter, and devices for restoring the said instrumentalities to operative position at a predetermined time interval upon reversal of direction of rotation of the drum, the said devices including a lever mounted adjacent the drum and enabled to be tripped by the said instrumentalities upon rotation of the drum in one direction, while being adapted to act upon the said instrumentalities to release the same upon engagement therewith on reversal of rotation of the drum.

7. A mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, instrumentalities for actuating the batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to rotation of the drum, and mechanism for rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative incident to setting the batchmeter, the said mechanism comprising a rack extensible into the line of travel of the said instrumentalities, devices for moving the said rack into the said path of travel of the instrumentalities incident to setting the batchmeter, the said rack beingprovided with a surface adapted to be engaged by the said instrumentalities, whereby the latter will be retracted responsive to continued rotation of the drum, and means for holding the said instrumentalities in retracted position.

8. A mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations of the drum, instrumentalities for actuating the batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to rotations of the drum, the said instrumentalities comprising a lever operatively connected with the said batchmeter, an abutment member mounted on the drum and adapted to engage the lever upon rtation of the drum to thereby set the said batchmeter, and mechanism for rendering the said abutment member inoperative incident to setting the batchmeter, the said mechanism comprising a rack member adapted to be extended into the path of movement of the said abutment member, the said rack member being provided with a surface adapted to retract the said abutment member from engagement therewith as the abutment member passes by the rack, and mechanism for actuating the said rack responsive to operations of the said batchmeter.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum, a batchmeter for the drum, instrumentalities on the drum for setting the batchmeter responsive to rotation of the drum and including cooperating guide brackets mounted on the drum, an abutment member positioned beneath the guide brackets and movable relatively thereto from extended to retracted position, and contrarily, a lever engageable by the said abutment member and operatively connected with the batchmeter, whereby engagement between the abutment member and lever will set the batchmeter, an extensible rack member movable toward and away from the said abutment member responsive to corresponding actuation of the batchmeter, the said rack memher having a cam acting surface adapted to be engaged by the abutment member for retracting the latter out of engagement with the rack member, instrumentalities for moving the rack member responsive to corresponding operation of the batchmeter, spring devices for holding the abutment member in withdrawn position as the drum revolves in a mixing direction, and means for releasing the spring devices for enabling the abutment member to return to extended position up n reversal of direction of rotationof the drum.

10. An apparatus of the character described,

comprising, in combination, a mixing drum, a batchmeter for the drum, instrumentalities on the drum for setting the batchmeter responsive to rotation of the drum and including cooperating guide brackets mounted on the drum, an abutment member positioned beneath the guide brackets and movable relatively thereto from extended to retracted position, and contrarily, a

lever engageable by the said abutment member and operatively connected with the batchmeter, whereby engagement between the abutment membcr and lever will set the batchmeter, an extensible rack member movable toward and away from the said abutment member responsive to corresponding actuation of the batchmeter, the f said rack member having a cam acting surface adapted to be engaged by the abutment member for retracting the latter out of engagement with the rack member, instrumentalities for moving the rack member responsive to corresponding op- I of the abutment member and having means for engaging the said spring devices to release the latter for enabling the abutment member toreturn to extended position upon the said reversal of direction of rotation of the drum, the abutment member tripping the said trip device for passage thereby during mixing rotation of the drum.

11 A mechanism of the character described,

comprising, in combination, a mixing drum provided with a batchmeter for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, instrumentalities for actuating the batchmeter at predetermined intervals responsive to rotations of the drum in mixing direction, mechanismfor rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative incident to actuation of the batchmeter, and means for restoring the said batchmeter actuating instrumentalities to operative condition responsive to reversal of direction of rotation of the drum for discharging the same.

12. An apparatus of the charatcer described,

comprising, in combination, a mixing drum, a

path of movement of the abutment member, the

said rack member being provided with means for moving the abutment member from engagement therewith and into inoperative position as the abutment member passes by the rack, and-mechanism for releasing the abutment member for restoring the same to operative position responsive to reversal of direction of the drum for discharge thereof.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination with a batchmeter of the continuously driven type, including driven mechanism and instrumentalities for setting the driven mechanism for indicating completion of mixing operations, a mixing drum, driving means on the drum for driving the driven mechanism of the batchmeter upon rotation of the drum, of actuating mechanism mounted on said drum and adapted to engage with the instrumentalities for setting the driven mechanism of the batchmeter upon rotation of the drum in mixing direction to start the batchmeter mechanism for indicating completion of mixing operations inthe drum, and instrumentalities for rendering the actuating mechanism inoperativewhen the indicating operation of the driven mechanism of the batchmeter has once been started.

14. An apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum, a batchmeter for the drum, instrumentalities for setting the batchmeter responsive to rotation of the drum in one direction, including a movable abutment member on the drum and a lever on the batchmeter adapted to be engaged by the abutment member, guide brackets on the drum for movably securing the abutment member to the drum, instrumentalities actuated by setting of the batchmeter for moving the abutment member out of engagement with the lever after the batchmeter has once been set, holding means for securing the abutment member in a retracted position and out of engagement with the said lever, and devices engageable with the said holding means upon rotation of the drum in another direction to restore the abutment member to its extended position. I

15. A mechanism of the character described,

comprising, in combinatioma mixing drum combined with a batchmeter of the continuously driven type for indicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the drum, instrumentalities for setting the batchmeter for mixing completion indicating action thereof responsive to rotation of the drum in one direction, and mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeterior renderingthe said instrumentalities inoperative after setting of the batchmeter.

16. A mechanism of the character described, comprising, in combination, a mixing drum combined with a batchmeter of the continuously driven type forvindicating completion of mixing operations in the drum, mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the drum, instrumentalities for setting the batchmeter for mixing completion indicating action thereof responsive to rotation of the drum in one direction, mechanism operable by setting of the batchmeter for rendering the said instrumentalities inoperative after setting of the batchmeter until the di-v rection of rotation of the drum is reversed, and mechanism coacting with the last mentioned mechanism to restore said setting instrumentalities to operative position upon reversing the direction of rotation of the drum.

ERICH H. LICHTENBERG. 

